Movie Reviews & Interviews from Washington

‘This Is the End’ Review: Self-Deprecating Gross-Out Comedy is a Fun Ride

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s newest film, This Is the End is the type of comedy that will please both critics and fans alike. If you enjoy the comedy style of the duo’s earlier films (Superbad and Pineapple Express), you will more than likely laugh out loud several times during this dark comedy about the end of the world.

Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride all play heightened versions of themselves. It’s really quite a brilliant idea for a movie, especially with the entire craze in movies about the apocalypse.

Jay Baruchel visits his buddy Seth Rogen in Los Angeles. The two end up going to James Franco’s house for a party, even though Jay is reluctant to go, thinking that Seth’s friends don’t really like him. When the two get to the Hollywood Hills mansion, a wasted and smiling James Franco gives Seth a hug, but can’t quite remember Jay’s name. Jonah Hill seems to be going out of his way to make Jay feel extra comfortable and Craig Robinson is also there, sporting a t-shirt that says, “Drop Your Panties.”

Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse enjoy a little Superbad reunion, that involves a good amount of cocaine and Rihanna is singing away near the piano with Craig Robinson. A lot of celebrities pop up here and there including Emma Watson, Mindy Kaling and Aziz Ansari, all having some drinks, conversing and having a good time.

Jay is clearly not having fun, feeling left out of the loop around Seth and his group of friends, so he makes an excuse to get out of the house and go to the closest convenience store for cigarettes. Seth goes with him, accusing Jay that he isn’t trying hard enough to be friends with his buds and just as the two start an argument, the apocalypse hits. The ground shakes heavily, balls of fire are flying up from underground and people are being sucked up into the sky by blue streaks of light. Jay and Seth are scared out of their wits and run back to James Franco’s house for shelter.

Everyone starts to run out of the house like mad and the ground starts to sink right in front of James’s house, taking down several celebs and actors with it. The five guys end up surviving and to their surprise, their friend Danny McBride ends up alive too. The six actors barricade themselves in James’s house, doing what it takes to survive, even though cabin fever eventually sinks in, testing the strengths of all their friendships.

This Is the End has a few surprising cameos that are just too good to giveaway. What made it a hilarious and enjoyable film was trying to figure out who was going to pop up next. You many know who the cameos are, but it’s a surprise where they actually pop-up.

The film tends to get a little long about ¾ of the way through and I found myself thinking, when are they going to get out of that house and start venturing outside?? It does take a while to get there, but once the story does get there, it leads to a fun ending.

If you are a fan of these funny guys, dark comedies, apocalyptic nonsense or gross-out humor, This Is the End has all of the above.